a hole in the side of a ship to allow water to drain from the deck, to prevent something from happening or succeeding

scupper one's chances, go down the scupper, scupper the ship

Formal and Informal Expressions of scupper

In different contexts, you can replace 'scupper' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'thwart' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'ruin, mess up' is a commonplace synonym.

scupper: Explore its Definition & Usage

scupper Definition

1a hole in the side of a ship to allow water to drain from the deck
2to prevent something from happening or succeeding

Using scupper: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "scupper" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The scuppers were clogged with debris.
Example
The project was scuppered by lack of funding.
Example
The company's plans were scuppered by the pandemic.

scupper Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for scupper

Antonyms for scupper

Phrases with scupper

scupper one's chances
to ruin or thwart one's chances of success
Example
His careless mistake scuppered his chances of getting the job.
go down the scupper
to fail or be ruined
Example
The company went down the scupper after the CEO resigned.
scupper the ship
to deliberately sink a ship by making holes in it
Example
The pirates scuppered the ship and stole all the cargo.

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Summary: scupper in Brief

The term 'scupper' [ˈskʌpər] refers to a hole in the side of a ship that allows water to drain from the deck. It also means to prevent something from happening or succeeding, as in 'The project was scuppered by lack of funding.' The phrase 'scupper one's chances' means to ruin or thwart one's chances of success.